Harry Kane uses Bulgaria racism to plan for Red Star Champions League clash in Serbia
- Spurs thrashed Red Star 5-0 earlier this week and face them again in 12 days
- UEFA banned Red Star fans from attending Tuesday’s game due to racism
- But round 150 Red Star fans still attended the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Harry Kane will play a key role in Tottenham’s planning for their forthcoming Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade amid concerns players could face racial abuse.
Spurs thrashed Red Star 5-0 earlier this week and face them again in 12 days for the return fixture in the Serbian capital.
Red Star fans were officially banned from attending Tuesday’s game as part of a UEFA punishment for racist chanting during a game against HJK Helsinki in July — but a group of supporters still managed to obtain tickets.
Harry Kane will play a key role in Tottenham’s planning for their next Champions League clash
Tottenham are aware of the potential for another flashpoint in a country that has a history of racial abuse at matches and are set to discuss the matter.
Defender Danny Rose was racially abused while playing for England Under 21s in Serbia in October 2012. Next month’s clash will be Rose’s first return to Serbia since that night seven years ago.
Tottenham are focusing on their forthcoming Premier League games against Liverpool and Everton before deciding on their course of action should incidents of discrimination arise in Belgrade.
Tottenham’s black players such as Rose, Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko are also likely to be heavily involved in planning. Kane, who is captaining Spurs in Hugo Lloris’s injury absence, will certainly play a lead role in the club’s plans should their black players be abused.
Harry Kane celebrates with Erik Lamela after scoring in Spurs’ game against Red Star
Around 150 Red Star Belgrade fans were at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night
The national captain was a key figure in England’s preparations for the now infamous international against Bulgaria, where black players were victims of racial abuse.
Kane was a central figure — acting as the point of contact for referee Ivan Bebek — as England instigated the first stage of UEFA’s three-step protocol in the event of racism during a match.
With that in mind, Tottenham will tap into Kane’s first-hand knowledge to ensure the squad is as well prepared as possible for the Red Star Belgrade clash.
Harry Winks was also on the pitch in Sofia earlier this month and could also be consulted ahead of the trip to Belgrade.